The Lost Sanctuary

[at]

Moriana casts chill shield and haste from her scrolls, enough to protect the entire party.

With preparations set it is only a question of who will brave the portal first.


(the portal here is wide enough for four human-sized creatures, though as many or as few may pass through in any order and at any speed as desired)

[crazydave]

Archibald and Neera should form the frontline. Someone smart should be there, too - Brenner or Vadania are good choices.

[at]

Positions set the group advance cautiously into the portal. The cave beyond is dark at first but as Brenner emerges the light of the staff he carries seems to reflect from every surface as it illuminates the area far beyond what should be possible for the light it casts, save for a cloud of darkness that hangs high above as if fighting the magical light.

The jagged cave is partially filled with shallow clear water though the area immediately around the portal is dry save for the nagas blood - all of them freshly killed - and there is a strange chill in the air.

(one square = 10 feet)

[crazydave]

Would it be Medicine to determine what they died of, or is it plainly obvious (cut to pieces, burned, etc.)?

[at]

Feb 25, 2024 4:50:58 GMT -5 crazydave said:

Would it be Medicine to determine what they died of, or is it plainly obvious (cut to pieces, burned, etc.)?

Some form of huge crushing bladed type strike. Closer examination would reveal more but might not be prudent.

[crazydave]

Brenner will use Detect Magic to see if there's some kind of magical effect going on. Maybe some kind of trap. Large blades means either a trap or a very big enemy, in Brenner's estimation.

[at]

There is overwhelming magic here, blinding power from both the staff, portal, and the cloud of darkness above, but the whole cave carries some kind of warding. Even relatively powerful magics would be difficult to pick out from the ambient auras.

[crazydave]

Neera and Archibald should proceed forward cautiously, I think. 5 feet at a time. Thoughts?

[harknail]

Vadania comes through with the three wolves, although the two summoned wolves look like children compared to Ylva.

First thing she does is look for what killed the nagasi, whether it be a monster or a trap.

Spot: 7l81O6PDp_1-20+17=26

Neera simply looking around for something to fight...

When she determines that there is no immediate threat, Vadania will move forward to examine the water. One thing that life in the steadlands had prepared her for was examining water, since drinkable water was so rare there.1-20

[at]

Vadanias sharp eyes pick out gouges in the cave walls, not gaps where blades might be hidden but rather strikes of something large that match the blood splatter of whatever cleaved through the naga. While there may still be illusions or magical traps here she can see no sign of such things.

As she moves foward though she can see great rents in the cave floor beneath the shallow water as if something large and powerful has dug itself into the rock. Memories of the dragon that hit itself beneath the oasis return, though whatever did this would not be nearly so large.

Of course even this may be just a distraction...

[harknail]

Vadania warns the others, "I think something big might be hiding under the water."

[at]

The group watch the water closely as they advance, though only ankle deep it is possible that something is burrowed into the rock beneath.

[Spot check for Brenner only]

[crazydave]

E_bBHq7tp_1-20+9 = 10

Things are about to get spicy, methinks!

1-20

[at]

Mar 3, 2024 4:05:39 GMT -5 crazydave said:

Things are about to get spicy, methinks!

Indeed. If anyone has any tricks of detection or ambush prevention up their sleeves then declare them now, and then roll for initiative.

[harknail]

Just paranoia about being ambushed, since that's how she lost her parents. But that's just why her spot and listen checks are so high.

Vadania initiative: nr8gXqS4p_1-20+4=7
Ylva initiative: p_1-20+3=13
Neera initiative: p_1-20+2=3
summoned Wolfs initiative: p_1-20+2=81-20�1-20�1-20�1-20

[at]

Initiative :

13 - Ylva
10 - Moriana
8 - Wolves
7 - Vadania
3 - Neera

?? - Brenner
?? - enemy(ies)

[crazydave]

Brenner: rsvmlzOLp_1-20 + 0 = 15

Archibald: p_1-20 + 6 = 14

Archibald starting maneuvers:

p_1-7p_1-6; Crusader's Strike, Foehammer.

1-20�1-20�1-7�1-6

[at]

Unseen but still felt, a pulse of magical energy causes the group to pause their advance as the shallow water rushes around them towards the fallen naga, one of which is thrown into the air as the water freezes around it.

The ice quickly hardens into a towering humanoid form with the dead naga at its core, already advancing towards the group.


Initiative :

15 - Brenner <----
14 - Archibald
13 - Ylva
11 - ??enemy??
10 - Moriana
8 - Wolves
7 - Vadania
3 - Neera

[crazydave]

Brenner will use his Wand of Scorching Ray.

IPtl5DHtp_1-20+4 = 12 vs touch AC; p_1-6p_1-6p_1-6p_1-6 = 17 fire damage on a hit.

Archibald will run towards the ice humanoid, entering into his Iron Guard's Glare stance. Before I commit his actions, does he slip on the ice or suffer any other detrimental effects from the approach?

1-20�1-6�1-6�1-6�1-6

[at]

(the magical chill is limited to the creature itself and does not spread out to the water or damp stone around it - at least not in any way that would impede movement)